89°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
49%
26
Baldwin County, AL · Gulf of Mexico
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
12295 State Hwy 180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
7,000-acre coastal refuge protecting some of Alabama's last undisturbed barrier-island habitat. Pine Beach Trail leads roughly two miles through pine-oak woodlands and dunes to a quiet stretch of Gulf shoreline favored by sea turtles and migrating birds. No facilities at the beach itself — pack in, pack out.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · NWS alert active · 49% rain
Full NWS forecast for Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7pm and 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 4am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Weather
- 89°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- 49% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 87°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- NWS alert active — special marine warning issued july 12 at 10:04am cdt until july 12 at 11:30am cdt by nws mobile al
19 /100
skip
0 Swim
42 Sunbathe
11 Walk
27 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Weather alert in effect
Special Marine Warning issued July 12 at 10:04AM CDT until July 12 at 11:30AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Atmosphere
Air Temp
89°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind
5 to 10 mph
SW
Rain
49%
Today
Tomorrow
86°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
87°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
8:39 PM
-0.5 ft · in 5.4h
Barometer
30.15 inHg
1021 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ALZ266)
The MOB office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- ALZ265 Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal — Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, n/a
- FLZ202 Escambia Coastal-Santa Rosa Coastal-Okaloosa Coastal — Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze, Navarre Beach, n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:58 AM
Sunset
8:55 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 8:46 AM | High | 1.9 ft |
| 8:39 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 9:41 AM | High | 1.9 ft |
| 9:41 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 10:37 AM | High | 1.9 ft |
| 10:37 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 11:31 AM | High | 1.7 ft |
| 11:24 PM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:23 PM | High | 1.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 1:09 PM | High | 1.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:18 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 1:36 PM | High | 0.9 ft |
| 11:13 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8735180, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms
80%
12
88°
Showers And Thunderstorms
77%
12
91°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
62%
16
91°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
27%
35
92°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
23%
36
92°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
29%
32
What to Bring Today
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 87°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 49% rain chance
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 89°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Free trailhead lots at the Pine Beach and Jeff Friend trailheads on State Hwy 180.
Dogs
No pets permitted anywhere on the refuge; certified service animals only.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
12295 State Hwy 180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge today?
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge dog-friendly?
No pets permitted anywhere on the refuge; certified service animals only.
Is there an entry fee at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge?
Entry to Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is free.
Are there lifeguards at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge?
No lifeguards are stationed at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge?
Amenities at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge include visitor center, hiking trails, birdwatching.
When is the water warmest at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge?
The Gulf of Mexico is bathwater-warm by mid-summer — 84-88°F is typical from July through September on the FL Gulf, TX coast, and AL/MS coast. Swimming comfortable from April through October on most of the Gulf.
Where is Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge located?
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is in Baldwin County, AL, at 12295 State Hwy 180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS